I loved the banter between the main characters, it made me smile and laugh! I am really glad I got the opportunity with this ARC to leave a review. I enjoyed the representation in the book of people with different experiences and how the main characters move through the book. Jamie is the protagonist, we see the book through her eyes, but we also catch a few glimpses into Axel's life and his motivations. I really enjoyed seeing Jamie come into her own and fight for what she wants in all aspects of her life. Overall, this was a great read though I would have liked to see a little bit more relationship building with Jamie and Axel. Maybe another book when she's in college and he's in his senior year.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tundra Book Group, and the author for this ARC.

When Jamie’s longterm boyfriend, Ben, ends things suddenly, her world feels like it’s flipped upside down. All her plans and check lists feel impossible without Ben. Then she meets Axel, and they start fake dating to make Ben jealous. Through this fake relationship Jamie opens herself up to new ideas and heals parts of her she didn’t know needed healing.

This book explores familial issues, finding yourself through your teen-angst, and that sometimes you need to deviate from your plans to live your life to the fullest.

It was a captivating and charming young adult romance. Axel is truly irresistible—I found myself developing feelings for him right alongside Jaime. He understood Jaime’s anxiety and insisted that Jamie embrace her biracial identity and significance without minimizing it.

I truly valued the depiction of anxiety and panic attacks in this novel. As someone who experiences these challenges intensely, I was grateful for accurate portrayal. That includes my favorite quote “when I'm with you, the anxiety that lives within me is a whisper." ☺️

Read her authors note too! It was nice to see her speaking out on the stereotypes placed against Arab men, their culture, as well as her speaking up for Palestine. It's refreshing to see Arab men and BIPOC protagonist taking center stage as the main characters. We need more of that.

Thank you Jackie Khalilieh and NetGalley for this ARC reader copy. Get it May 20th!

Certainly! Here’s a rewritten version with a different tone and style:

I really wanted to love this book. The concept was charming, and it had plenty of potential. As a YA novel, it touched on meaningful themes like personal growth, navigating hardships, and owning up to mistakes. I also especially appreciated the cultural elements woven into the story.

That being said, I struggled to connect with the characters, especially Jamie. She makes plenty of mistakes, which isn’t a problem in itself, but the way she handles them left me frustrated. Her lack of communication, immaturity, and somewhat judgmental nature made it difficult to root for her. Axel and Ben didn’t leave much of an impression either, though Axel at least had the potential for depth. Unfortunately, that depth wasn’t explored enough to make an impact.

The romance had its sweet moments, but because I wasn’t invested in the characters, it didn’t resonate with me as much as I’d hoped. In the end, while this book had its strengths, it wasn’t one that will stick with me.

First, thank you so much to Jackie Khalilieh and NetGalley for this ARC reader copy.

"You Started It" is a delightful and heartwarming read that perfectly captures the ups and downs of teenage love and self-discovery. It's the kind of book that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

This story follows Jamie as she navigates the tricky waters of first heartbreak, family dynamics, and finding her place in the world. The author perfectly captures the relatable experience of overcoming those first heartbreaks and the journey of finding love again. Jamie's struggles with anxiety and the pain of her father's departure, coupled with the sting of her first breakup, resonate deeply. It's heartwarming to witness her rebuild her relationships with her mom and uncle, finding strength and support in their love.

One of the things that makes this book so special is its exploration of the challenges faced by millennial children of immigrants. Jamie's journey to embrace her cultural heritage while living in Canada is both nostalgic and deeply relatable. The author skillfully weaves these themes into the narrative, creating a story that feels authentic and meaningful.

The book's easy-to-read pace makes it a quick and enjoyable read. It's a feel-good story with a satisfying happily ever after (HEA) that will leave you wanting more. If you're looking for a sweet, relatable, and ultimately uplifting story, "You Started It" is the perfect choice. I highly recommend it!

You Started It is a young adult novel following 17 year old Jamie who is unexpectedly dumped by her boyfriend of 3 years. Jamie upset from this sudden news makes her want to make her ex jealous and she starts a fake relationship with Axel.

I love how the author made Jamie a type of character that readers can fall in love with and relate to. As readers read this book, they see the growth Jamie goes through and the struggles she deals with such as anxiety, self-hate, phobias etc. I was totally rooting for Jamie and Axel as I was reading the book. There were so many cute banters between the two and I loved how Axel supported Jamie through her struggles. I loved that this book had both characters supporting each other and ugh made me miss young love.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend this to other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jackie Khalilieh for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel. I have always been a fan of YA romances because of the emotions they bring and this book was no exception, it was an incredibly enjoyable read. From the very beginning, the story kept getting better. Although it went slightly off track toward the end, I still couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it in one sitting.
I’m a big fan of the fake dating trope and it was executed so well in this book. From their very first encounter, I was rooting for Jamie and Axel to be together. Their interactions were so fun and tender that I found myself giggling and smiling like an idiot while reading. I absolutely love heartfelt moments, especially in YA romances and this book did not disappoint. It perfectly captured the essence of teen romance, balancing all the right elements.
I really appreciated the way Jamie’s character was written, she was a flawed teenage girl, much like many others we come across in real life. There were moments when she frustrated me but I could understand where she was coming from. Axel, on the other hand was a complete green flag and I adored every aspect of his character. That said, he had his own flaws as well which made him even more realistic because, at the end of the day he was also just a teenage boy.
I also loved how the author delicately handled sensitive topics (please check the trigger warnings). The portrayal of Jamie and Axel’s family dynamics was especially well done, it wasn’t just surface level but deeply explored and well balanced alongside the romance. This was the first time I read a book featuring Arab main characters and it was both refreshing and fun to experience. The side characters also played a significant role in the story and added their own charm, except for Ben- whom I absolutely hated.
The only thing I disliked about the book was how unnecessarily drawn-out the third act breakup was. While I don’t mind third act breakups since they add drama to the story, this one was overly stretched to the point where it became frustrating. Unfortunately, it felt overdone and affected my enjoyment a little.
Overall, I had a great time reading this book. If you’re looking for a YA romance with the fake dating trope, flawed yet lovable main characters and a well-paced plot that keeps you hooked, then you should definitely give this one a try!

You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh is a YA book that’s about Jamie who, all of a sudden got dumped by her boyfriend of three years, Ben. Only for her to see him with another girl the next day he dumped her! She made up a whole plan to get him back and that’s where Axel, an Arab boy, whose bike she totally wrecked came in the picture after trying to not get caught checking out his ex-boyfriend’s house.

Jamie. I honestly didn’t like her at first because of how she treats other people. She may or may not have been a mean girl in my eyes. However, she’s been through so much that I also get her at times because of how relatable she is. Her, controlling her life in the fear of losing it was really relatable because of her anxiety.

She pushed herself to go out of her comfort zone, do things that she wasn’t used to because of Axel because he was the one who made her realized that it’s definitely okay to not plan things up until the very last second.

Axel. Seriously, where can I find an Arab boy like him? I loved the representation—it’s rare to read about an MMC who’s Arab. He had his own struggles because of how his passion doesn’t seem to be important enough for his dad, and it made me really sad because he is really in his element whenever he does what he love.

He was very considerate of Jamie, making sure that he doesn’t do anything that would make her uncomfortable. I definitely enjoyed his side that was not scared to show his love for other people. He loves loudly, and may everyone finds that kind of love.

One thing I definitely questioned with this book is how she ended up friends with her ex who was clearly an asshole, but that’s just my personal opinion about it. I don’t think I could ever be casual again with someone who did me dirty, no matter how long has it been, it’s more of a self-respect to not let them in my life again because I’ve given them the chance to be in my life but they chose to waste it.

Overall, the pacing of this book was great. It wasn’t too quick, but also not too slow that you’ll get bored in the long run. Even though there were times that I got frustrated because of the characters—especially Jamie. Adding to that was the miscommunication of this trope because I absolutely despise this trope and no one could ever change my mind about it, I would still say that this was good read. I would like to give my appreciation to the author for breaking down stereotypes, and using her voice to speak about Palestine. It can really be an eye-opener for the people who will get to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tundra Books, and the author for this ARC in exchange of my honest review.

"With one look he made me feel like the most important person in his world"

You Started It is a fairly regular teen fake dating book at its core. When Jamie's boyfriend Ben comes back home from camp and out of nowhere breaks up with her for another girl, she sets out to make him jealous. In comes Axel to play the part of the new boyfriend.

The story was very cute, while it took me a bit to warm up to Jamie's character, I loved Axel and was rooting for him. The dialogue was sorta cheesy but that's my kinda vibe in a romance. If you can get past the weird mix of modern Gen z references and odd therapy talk that pops up occasionally it fills it's role of a romance pretty nicely.

Overall I enjoyed, not life changing but I am glad I read it.

Thank you to NetGalley for proving me with an ARC in exchange for a review.

This book was so cute! I loved how inclusive it was for so many different people and situations. Probably the first book I’ve read that had an issue or rather topic for most things all in one book. I absolutely would recommend this book to others.

I also love that there was a happy ending, one we didn’t expect towards the middle of the book for sure. 💜

As an adult, I often struggle to stay engaged with YA novels because many feel like unrealistic portrayals of that stage of life. However, You Started It felt refreshingly authentic and relatable. I loved how the book tackled a variety of real-life struggles, and my younger self could deeply connect with many of Jamie’s experiences. The diverse representation throughout the story was another highlight—it was so refreshing to see, and I hope to read more books that embrace inclusivity in this way. I can’t wait to add a physical copy to my shelf and share it with my teenage son.

You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh is an utterly charming and heartwarming read! The banter between the characters was delightful, and I loved how their quirks made them feel so real and relatable. The romance had the perfect balance of tension and sweetness, keeping me hooked from start to finish. Khalilieh’s writing is engaging and full of personality, making this book an easy, fun, and satisfying read. If you love cute, feel-good stories with lovable characters, this one is definitely worth picking up!

I almost quit reading this book 3 times....
WAIT! Hear me out!

I tried reading this multiple times and I couldn't find myself getting past the 2nd chapter. I was thinking "this is just like 'Never Have I Ever'" and "the guys name is even BEN!"

But BOY was I glad I finished this book!!

The books is real, heartfelt, relatable and down right hilarious! The author touches on a variety of issues you'd see every day, from anxiety, alcoholism, deculturation and not to mention that 'First Love'.

Jamie Taher-Foster has her whole life planned out, shes a planner. After a summer away from her boyfriend Ben, she's finally ready to pick up where they left off! Starting highschool together! But all those plans come to a screeching halt as Ben dumps her, claiming he wants to be free. Does free mean dating Olivia Chen not even 24 hours later?!
Axel Dahini is definitely a boy you can not judge on appearance! Jamie accidentally runs over Betty White... Wait not the real Betty White, Axel's bike 'Betty white'... and she finds her self in a fake relationship with the hottest, new kid on the block. Axel agrees to help Jamie win Ben back, but he has some conditions of his own! Axel pushes Jamie out of her comfort zone, he leads Jamie the whole way, she finds herself not even scared to let him.

This story is absolutely adorable, I love the realistic approach for deculturation, high school dating, family trials and ultimately how we all tend to jump to conclusions. I ADORE how Axel really brought out the best and worst of Jamie, really made her think about her actions and how they affect others. There was a lot of growth for not only Jamie but every character in this book!

You Started It is a young adult novel following seventeen-year-old Jamie Taher-Foster as she is unexpectedly dumped by her boyfriend of three years, Ben. It reads very much like you would expect a young adult novel to read and includes a lot of nods and mentions to modern day slang, trends, and artists. On top of this, it also covers a plethora of real-world issues such as anxiety disorders, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), alcoholism, co-dependency, cheating, and the current situation between Palestine and Israel.

My Review Rants

This was a very cute read. I was initially put off by the book shortly after it started with the usage of cringe slang you would hear your average teenager using, but as I pushed further into the book, I found myself unable to put it down.

I relate a lot to the main character, Jamie, when it comes to having debilitating anxiety, a fear of losing control of your own life, and panic attacks. I actually related to her so much that I felt uncomfortable at times, but it's precisely because of that, that I really loved our FMC.

I loved the approach to being biracial, being unaccustomed to or uneducated on your cultural roots or traditions, and the struggles many go through by never truly feeling like you belong. Axel Dahini, our MMC, was the greenest of flags imaginable when it came to this topic. Refusing to let Jamie downplay her race or significance due to being biracial was such a nice touch that as a biracial person myself who feels detached from my culture and religion due to family keeping me from it, I felt seen and accepted.

The pacing in this book was great, there was never a dull moment or time where you question when things will pick up or get better. It was doing that the entire time, just getting better and better. I will say I did have moments where I was frustrated with characters like Jamie's mother, Ben, and Jamie herself, but it was never enough to make me uninterested in the book or want to put it down. I was hooked from start to finish despite wanting to fight some of these characters. I also truly loved the hints put throughout the book of thinking what Jamie was doing was a normal teenage thing, only to realize when you look back just how damaging her behaviour was and being able to reflect on why and how and do better from it. It was well done when brought to the reader's attention by the end of the book.

I have and always will be very anti-third act break ups. I think they are redundant and often times backtrack on all of the progress and development of the main characters, and unfortunately that's exactly how I felt about the one in this book. I felt that it dragged on for far longer than necessary and the miscommunication/unwillingness to communicate between the main cast was really annoying and I found myself sighing in annoyance often. I do think the resolution to the third act break up was a bit lackluster as well, but I overall did have a great time, and I really loved Axel.

I would also like to give appreciation to the author for speaking out on the stereotypes placed against Arab men, their culture, as well as for speaking up for Palestine. It is refreshing to see an author speak up for her beliefs and make it so enjoyable in a book that caters to younger adults. This is a great book for learning more about viewing others through an objective lens, not through judgmental or divisive ones. I also really appreciated the anxiety and panic attack representation in this novel. As someone who struggles with both to a debilitating level, I really appreciated how well they were handled in this novel. An author educating themselves and showing that through their writing and not glorification of these topics is few and far between, and Jackie Khalilieh did a wonderful job tackling it.

Final Thoughts

A solid 3.75/5 for this novel. I enjoyed it for what it was and would've loved for a bit more time with Axel and Jamie together as a couple or expanding on their relationship. I often felt that there wasn't enough of just them in this book, especially in the later half around the 70% mark and beyond. The tension and conflict interfered with giving their relationship more of a platform. But for what it offered, I enjoyed it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book!

What a delightful, fun read. I needed something light-hearted and inspiring to break up some heavier books, and this was great. The characters were so much fun, and the fake dating trope is always such a win. Will be recommending this one for sure!

Thank you so much to Jackie Khalillieh and Tundra Book Group for allowing me to get an ARC for this book!

I rated this book 4/5 stars. 1 🌶️ spice!

This book is like Better Than the Movies and To All the Boys I've Loved Before had a baby and created this masterpiece. Tropes in this book include: fake dating (obviously), Palestinian representation, slow burn, and mental health representation.

I'm going to try to write this review without any spoilers! Jamie is an upcoming senior who lives a very structured life. She's had plans, lists, and goals written out of what she and her current/ex-boyfriend Ben would want to do during the present and the future. One day, after Ben comes home from working at a camp all summer, he breaks up with her! Not a spoiler, definitely, in the synopsis of the book. She then meets this new guy named Axel after running over his bike and let's say the story starts there. The way that Jamie is written, makes me feel as if I am 17 again and going through my first heartbreak. The feeling of MY LIFE IS OVER is so real. The way that Jackie wrote Jamie was what I can remember what every teenage girl was like. Jamie though, deals with anxiety and panic attacks and is still learning to deal with her emotions to this day. Throughout the book, you definitely can see her struggle to get ahold of her self and letting her thoughts race. You really have to put yourself in Jamie's shoes and situation to realize THAT ALL HER THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ARE SO VALID. Axel is one caring and supportive teenager. If I met an Axel when I was 17, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GAME OVER. He helps Jamie open up, but does it in a way that makes her feel safe and comfortable in new situations. I get it, the internal struggle of wanting to be with your first love and not realizing red flags. You have to remember, she is 17. She's growing and figuring out herself still. I also love her Amo Eli! HE WAS SUCH A GREAT CHARACTER. I need a support person like that in my life. I'm not going to get in with her family situation, because that is such a huge foundation on why she is the way she is. Overall, this book was so cliche-cute and a little bit cringy, but it was still very enjoyable and entertaining to read. Thank you so much for the ARC!

This was the cutest high school romance ever. I love the fake dating trope, I love Jamie and Axel, I LOVE revenge plots that end differently than how they started. I was immediately intrigued when it was mentioned that Axel was a TikTok star. Also, unpopular opinion, but third-act breakup is highkey not bad. It really hits you in the feels and there's character development and UGH the growth of the characters over this book, especially Jamie and her relationships with everyone else, was insane. The romance and plot were amazing, but I stayed for the characters. So cute, so fun, I loved this YA romance so much.

Such a cute book! I couldn’t put it down, it was a very easy read that had you guessing the whole time! A very good YA book, highly recommend!

This was so cute, omg! Jackie Khalilieh's writing may be incredibly corny, and her characters aren't always the most well-written, but it's all extremely lovable. I was rolling my eyes at Jamie just as much as I was cheering her on. I was grinning at my phone way more than I was complaining to the imaginary cameraman. I cannot wait to read Everything Comes Back to You because Ms. Khalilieh's writing improves with every book she publishes. She manages to tackle heavy topics without making her books feel heavy. She also supports my theory that the quality of a book is directly correlated to whether the author has something to say. Something More was fun and primarily focused on relationships for autistic people. While You Started lacked the charm of Something More, it was still much better, and Jackie Khalilieh had so much more to express with this one. She wrote about parent-child relationships, racism against Arab men, anxiety, and what it means to grow as a person. And considering the amount of homework I've neglected because of this book, she did an incredibly great job!

Had a love-hate relationship with this one because the characters were a bit much for me. BUT I have to say that I mean that in a good way as it’s very much what I recall as a teenager - too many emotions and too much everything. It’s emotional, has a wonderful amount of diversity, and touches on heavy topics while also showing growth.

Even though the characters are entering their senior year of high school, I feel like, to some degree, it might be better geared to younger teens. The way that Jamie is written, she feels a bit younger than her age, but that could just be my perception of her characterization.

This book is definitely something that is good for teens, but definitely not for me at my age.